Tests revealed she had the “most aggressive and most dangerous grade of tumour” and she disappeared from our screens at the end of January to concentrate on her treatment.

Chemotherapy has left her “cripplingly tired” at times and has thinned her trademark blonde hair, so she now wears a wig for special occasions.

But she has been overwhelmed by support from the public, who she credits with getting her through it.

“I’ve been inundated with letters from Calendar viewers and people stopping me in the street and lovely letters from people telling me their stories, in particular ladies who have been through breast cancer.”

She added: “Thank you to anybody who’s taken the trouble to do that, it has inspired me and I’ve taken a lot of strength from it.”

Christine, who lives near Wetherby with husband Chris Gregg, former head of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET), said she hoped by sharing her experience she could help others realise breast cancer is by no means a death sentence these days.

And although she still has months of treatment ahead, she is feeling positive.

“I feel like I’ve been very lucky.

“It looks like I caught it quite early – that’s what I’m being told – it’s not spread anywhere, it’s not in my lymph nodes.”

She hopes to be back on the sofa with co-presenter and friend Duncan Wood as soon as she is well enough but said the experience had changed her life forever.

“It has made me appreciate home and what I’ve got.

“It opens you up to the goodness of people, the kindness of people.

“Everything seems very different once you’ve been through something like this.”

* Christine will once again take to the stage in front of thousands of women at Sunday’s Race for Life at Temple Newsam – but this year her speech will be very different.

Instead of simply motivating the runners, she will be sharing her story and encouraging people to fundraise for Cancer Research UK in a bid to find a cure.

“When you realise how close they are, it’s important people keep ploughing money into it.”

And despite having just finished her chemotherapy, she will be tackling the 5k course with around 20 friends who have raised almost £2,000.

* There are last minute parking changes to both Saturday and Sunday’s event at Temple Newsam.

Helen Webster, Race for Life event manager said: “Due to recent weather conditions and the effect it has had on the grounds at Temple Newsam Park, only one car parking area will be usable for Race for Life events this Saturday and Sunday, with access only via Temple Newsam Road. Please do not attempt to approach Temple Newsam Park via Colton Road or from Junction 46 of the M1 as these routes will not be open. Look out for signage on main routes in the area directing you to the event.

“We ask that participants allow plenty of extra time to travel to Temple Newsam and if possible car share so we have time to help everyone park up ready for the start.”